Euro-Med Youth Platform Unofficial website

Challenges Facing Youths in the UK

At the moment, young people in the United Kingdom are not particularly promising, with a large proportion facing a number of challenges, in various different aspects of their lives. These problems are amplified in disadvantaged youths that do not have adequate access to training, education, affordable housing, employment, financial security, and technology, such as internet access. These problems are compounded in a the fast changing society and work environments of the UK. This can lead to feelings of marginalisation, and low self esteem, which can cause significant impact on the physical and mental well-being of youngsters from lower social classes.

Achieving economic independence is a huge problem affecting the young people of the UK today. For example:

● 79.5 % of young people in the UK are considered to be disadvantaged.

● Unemployment is expected to be an issue of a third of all 16 to 25 year olds, in 2018.

● The rates of unemployment in 16 to 25 year olds, is three times higher than the rest of the general population.

● Young people seeking advice on debt issues, increased 21% in 2017, according to the Citizens Advice Bureau.

● Young people are struggling to get on the property ladder, with home ownership falling by 50% in the last 20 years, for 25 year olds.

● Over 70% of 18 to 20 year olds are believed to be earning less than the living wage.

Furthermore, as far back as the tragedies of the terrorist attacks, or 9/11 in the US and 7/7 in London, some of the young Muslim community of the UK have experienced the likes of racism and xenophobia. This is something that is not exclusive to the UK, but is experienced by young Muslims throughout the Western world. It is a clash of cultures that could really benefit from youth groups that encourage integration, and improved knowledge of different religious identities. This may have led to the radicalisation and extremism of young people becoming a notable issue in the UK today, highlighting a need for better understanding of different cultures, and improved tolerance between youths from different cultural or religious backgrounds.

Thankfully, there are many youth organisations in the United Kingdom, such as UK Youth, that are working towards a better future for the young people of Great Britain.